Aon Announces Next Generation Broking Strategy

Aon Corporation, the leading global provider of risk management services, today announced the launch of Aon Broking, the next generation broking strategy for clients of Aon Risk Services, the firm's retail brokerage operation. The new strategy is designed to ensure clients around the world all benefit from the full range of broking resources Aon provides, and get access to the best insurance solutions and markets for their specific needs.

Source: Source: Aon | Published on December 28, 2009

"Since the creation of Aon Risk Services in February 2008, as the leading risk management and insurance brokerage firm in the world we have continued our journey to deliver world-class solutions and distinctive value to our clients, notably through innovations such as the Aon Client Promise® and Aon Global Risk Insight Platform®," said Greg Case, president and chief executive officer of Aon Corporation. "As the next step in that journey, Steve McGill and the entire Aon Risk Services team are now putting in place even stronger capabilities to support our clients, and giving Aon team members even more resources to help clients solve their risk needs."

To ensure clients can readily access the right combination of local expertise and global specialist knowledge, this new approach combines three key elements:

* A connected network of broking hubs in major insurance centers, giving clients local access to global expertise

* Global specialty businesses serving the needs of industries with specific needs

* Seamless access to the full range of risk financing solutions, including facultative reinsurance where appropriate

All of this is underpinned by use of the firm's leading-edge technology platform Aon GRIP to ensure that all clients get real-time access to the world's best insurance solutions and that analysis of all of the firm's worldwide placement activities is utilized in the best interest of all its clients.

"Our primary focus is always to ensure that our clients can access the insurance markets that best fit with their particular business objectives," said Steve McGill, chairman and chief executive officer of Aon Risk Services. "This new approach takes that principle to another level, enabling us to consistently ensure that each of our clients can access the widest range of risk transfer options any broker can offer, all through their local Aon team."

The strategy will be supported by a strong management team, with Warren Mula appointed chief executive officer for retail and specialty broking within Aon Risk Services, reporting to McGill. He will retain his role as chairman of Aon Risk Services U.S. Retail.

Elliot Richardson will serve as chief executive officer of the Aon broking hubs and of Aon Risk Services' facultative broking operations, also reporting to McGill. Richardson will also retain his role as chief executive officer of Aon Benfield Fac, where he reports to Andrew Appel, chief executive officer of Aon Benfield.

"The creation of Aon Broking is the most significant step Aon has undertaken in broking, and incredibly exciting as it will create an even more coordinated approach, give our clients even more choice and further strengthen our relationships with key markets so that we can deliver the best possible solutions to clients," noted McGill. "We believe the formation of Aon Broking and our approach to interacting with the markets will be unique in our industry, and will further enable Aon Risk Services to develop and deliver unmatched value for our clients."